Peter Van Sant

On July 24, 2018, nearly three weeks into the investigation of Gary Farris' disappearance and suspected murder, Detective Daniel Hayes and Sergeant Ashley Pope traveled from Cherokee County, Georgia, to Coffey County, Tennessee, to meet the traveling country salesman who they thought could break the case wide open.

This would be the third face-to-face meeting with Rusty Barton, the man who had been having an affair with Melody Ferris for years and who investigators believed knew some of her deepest secrets.

Melody Ferris was upset that her family's private lives were now public record.

She was talking to detectives Daniel Hayes and Trent Kuykendall in Cherokee County, Georgia.

So far, he'd given them nothing.

And just so you know, I am sincerely sorry for you and your family's loss.

But this time, Rusty was ready to open up.

I don't know what to say.

It was on the morning of July 6, 2018, the day after Gary Ferris' remains were found.

Melody was at the local sheriff's office.

For years, Rusty and Melody talked almost every day on the phone.

Unlike her earlier conversations with the detectives, this one would go on for nearly eight hours as Melody spun stories of intrigue and suspicion.

And their phone calls had become a key part of the investigation.

I think there was only one conversation that is what you're looking for.

The one conversation in question between the lovers was around 2.20 a.m.

on the 4th of July, an unusually late hour for them.

Rusty said they'd been talking for quite a while when Melody said something chilling.

Almost as soon as they started recording, Melody didn't hesitate to point fingers.

Melody was talking about her oldest son, Chris.

He had left the farm not long after investigators arrived.